Would my horned theropod dinosaur- like creature be able to lift his head and/ or balance?

I'm in the process of designing a creature loosely resembling a theropod dinosaur that sports a number of horns/tusks on its head and face, and I'm wondering if anyone can help me evaluate its feasibility. I'm not terribly concerned with the practicality/ functionality of the horns/ tusks themselves or their arrangement. They're strictly ornamental and probably stupid from an evolutionary perspective, but I'm pretty resigned to that fact.

What I am concerned with is whether or not they might compromise the creature's ability to lift/ hold up its own head (is the neck thick and muscular enough?) or balance. (Would a longer tail or a tail with a source of extra weight at the end help any?) Are there any compromises I might be able make if they do prove unfeasible in these regards? I've come up with tentative estimates of the horns'/ tusks' weights based on what info I've been able to garner about deer antlers and black rhino horns. I'm estimating the two large horns at 2-3 pounds each, the vertical horn jutting up between these two at 1.5-2 pounds, the snout and chin horns at 0.75 to 1 pounds each, and the tusks (which are made of the same material as the horns) at 1.5 to 2 pounds each.

Here is an updated version of the creature design featuring a thoracic hump as per one of the suggestions I've received.

posted almost 7 years ago

Joseph Rouleau‭

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